Preparing for the New Baby: How a Large Family Gets Ready
As a homeschooling mom of multiple kids and getting ready to meet our new baby in a matter of days, I’ve never been busier in my life!
With so much on my to-do list added to my already full schedule, I admit to having moments of brief panic in which I think to myself, “what if I don’t get it all done before I go into labor?” or…”what if the boys’ rooms look like THAT when the baby arrives!?!” or…”what if I don’t get the freezer filled with homemade food in time?”
I have to stop myself, almost on a daily basis and just…
breathe.
Because while I do have a lot that I would like to have accomplished, things that would definitely be a blessing to me and my family, the reality is that it is going to be okay. Most likely, I’ll carry this baby all the way to 40 weeks PLUS like I usually do, which means I still have three more weeks to achieve my goals, but if the baby comes earlier and I don’t get to all these tasks, then it’s alright.
I don’t know about you, but the nesting thing is a very, very real and intense thing that I experience toward the end of pregnancy. Mother Bird knows her Baby is about to hatch and that nest must be pristine and perfect. It must, at all costs, be in order. No clutter, nothing in disarray, all rooms organized and ready.
Sometimes it becomes an internal battle of sorts, as a mom of a large family. Because the order in my head doesn’t always match what I see around me. Sometimes I forget that not everyone in our family, especially my brood of all boys, is in super-nesting-mode like me. Sometimes I see the mess around me or the list that still has things to do on it and I start to lose perspective. And I have to remind myself again….It’s going to be okay. Breathe.
Because, first of all, it’s not like the baby’s going to care. (Of course, I still will.) And second, it’s not fair to my family for me to be stressed out about something that’s pretty silly in the grand scheme of things. And most importantly, if there’s ever a time to make sure my children feel loved and special, it’s right before they’re about to meet another new sibling.
Now having said all that, I will still try to prioritize and enlist help from my family to accomplish a few very key things like:
- sorting and washing newborn clothes, socks, baby blankets
- taking apart the infant carseat, washing, and reassembling
- making sure extra sheets and towels are clean and ready for our homebirth
- cooking and freezing as many meals ahead of time as possible
And after those things are done, if we are still waiting for our sweet bundle to arrive, I’ll tackle more of those organization projects that seem so important to me right now. Those projects include purging the boys’ rooms and closets, reorganizing the schoolroom, and cleaning out the toy boxes. It would be nice to get to the coat closet and master closet, too, but I’m trying to be realistic here.
;
In the meantime, staying focused on getting rest and good nutrition as I try and prepare my mind and body for birth is still a top priority. I started taking my Alfalfa, Red Raspberry Leaf, and Evening Primrose capsules today in preparation for labor and delivery.
This is such a sweet, special season, these final weeks of carrying my baby, a time for really slowing down, looking around me at what I’ve already been blessed with, and savor it all the more. There really is no need to stress about “the list” or “the mess” or anything else.
Because all that will matter in just a few short days or weeks is going to be that we’re all here. All ten of us. Together.
Who cares about the list? What about you? Do you experience nesting at the end of pregnancy?
I am already getting the urge to nest and I am only 25 weeks! This is a great post for those of us who tend to cram pack our to do lists and unnecessarily stress ourselves out, when in the grand scheme of things, those to do’s are really don’t matter. Thanks for reminding me to breathe!
Yes! and congrats by the way. Both of my girls were born early and the nesting instinct kicked in a few short weeks prior to their birth.
God Bless you and your new addition! I am a SAHM to a beautiful two year old girl. I totally went through a nesting period during the final week leading into my daughter’s birth. She was born a week early so the nesting kicked in at week 38. I worked as a full-time executive assistant prior to becoming mommie but knew I was not returning after the birth (they thought I was). I cleared my desk of all my things so that the “temp” who had begun to shadow me would be able to make the space her own once I had left to have baby. That happened on a Friday and the following Sunday I was in labor with a blessed baby girl in my arms that Monday! I look back and think that my body most definitely knew it was time 🙂 Prayers for a smooth last month and a safe and healthy birth 🙂
I have enjoyed following you through the process and I can’t wait to see this new little boy! 🙂
I don’t know how you do it. I’m in my last month of pregnancy and have to rest after the HARD work of putting my clothes on in the morning! You just reminded me that adoption is still an option for growing a family 😀
I am totally nesting right now. I’ve never been a very organized person until end of pregnancy and am starting to freak. I do wish I could be this way after the baby comes, besides the stress. I have four weeks to go, possibly, and a lot to do still. Thanks for your encouragement, I know I need to rest in the Lord and try not to stress my family out.
Blessings to you and your sweet family!
Congratulations on your eight baby boy! You are such a beautiful woman!
Congrats!! I have four, and when I start crocheting entire baby blankets in one day or deciding to start a queen size quilt the week before my due date, I am in full nesting mode! I love to have everything clean and ready.
I can’t imagine having that nesting feeling with 7 boys around! YOU GO!!! You’re right, it’s such an overpowering feeling, and to take a step back and just breathe is hard.
One day at a time, right? Hopefully you have time to get all things done on time 😉 And baby won’t be too late!
On a side note, when you take apart your car seat, do you wash the straps? That is actually a big no no… it weakens the straps. And just thinking through… 7 boys… 8th on the way… how many infant seats have you gone through by now? Probably a few!! I know that was the biggest disappointment for me, when my third baby was due after my infant seat expired 🙁 Thankfully my sister had one I could use.
SO soon you will be holding that little boy in your arms 🙂
Only 18 weeks along, but still needed this reminder to hold that list loosely!
I wondered if you had read this: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/simcha-fisher/to-the-mother-with-only-one-child and if so, what you thought. I think it’s an interesting article and certainly gives me comfort when I feel so overwhelmed with my little brood here.
In there with you with a baby due sometime between now and early Feb! I’d love to hear about some good freeze ahead meal options you are doing too (not that you’re not busy enough already!)
I am 31 weeks pregnant and totally in the nesting phase this week! But, with my previous 3 children I went into pre-term labor and had to go on bedrest starting at 32 weeks too (I’m hoping this pregnancy will go smoother). I bought a dresser I can also use as a changer on craigslist last weekend, and would like to refinish it. Also, I had previously sold ALL my newborn clothes – so just found a great lot on craigslist for super good price, and just purchased the last few things I needed on-line last night.
I just finished the big chore of organizing our entire garage last weekend, and purged A LOT of items…craigslist, Goodwill, gone! (a project hubby and I have been slowly working on the past 6 months). I knew once baby was here, I would have little time for time intensive organizing projects!
Yes, I definitely had the “nesting” phase before baby boy was born! It wasn’t so much that everything had to be super organized, but I finally had energy to finish up those last-minute projects: clean out the fridge and freezer, vacuum under the beds, keep up with laundry and sweeping, etc. I’m so thankful for nesting because I had zero energy before that! 🙂
So encouraging to know we are equipped to take on the awesome task of a growing family. Thanks for sharing
Saving this post for future reference. Thanks! 🙂
All the best to you in the coming weeks! I did massive cleaning before each of my tow babies arrived. The prep cooking helped, but I was blessed with lots of family and friends helping out with meals in the early weeks.
I think people need to remember that it’s ok to ask for help in those early weeks, especially when there are other children that need just as much attention as before!
Can you tell me more about why you are taking Alfalfa, Red Raspberry Leaf, and Evening Primrose capsules today in preparation for labor and delivery? I’m 33 weeks right now and haven’t heard of taking these supplements before…
Alfalfa infusions can help increase the levels of Vitamin K. This is a big deal for many of us who do not want to have our babies injected with Vitamin K at birth. It also increases the levels of hemoglobin.
Red Raspberry Leaf is a standard herb for pregnancy, and a fantastic herb for women in general. Specifically to labor preparation: it increases the effectiveness of contractions without making them stronger; helps tone uterine muscles, which may help to lessen pain during delivery. It can also help boost milk production.
Evening Primrose can help to ripen the cervix – making it softer and allowing dilation to occur more smoothly (ie: less painfully). I would not recommend taking evening primrose unless you were within 2-3 weeks of delivery. It is also used in higher doses to stimulate labor if you are “overdue”.
I think the nesting phase hit me the hardest with our first. My poor husband rearranged the nursery for me at least 5 times! Nesting can be such a blessing or a curse. Thanks for reminding us to keep the right perspective and we get ready to welcome another blessing into our family.
Hi,
I am 3 weeks away according to my due date also. How does the Alfalfa, Red Raspberry Leaf, and Evening Primrose capsules, prepare you for labor?
Alfalfa infusions can help increase the levels of Vitamin K. This is a big deal for many of us who do not want to have our babies injected with Vitamin K at birth. It also increases the levels of hemoglobin.
Red Raspberry Leaf is a standard herb for pregnancy, and a fantastic herb for women in general. Specifically to labor preparation: it increases the effectiveness of contractions without making them stronger; helps tone uterine muscles, which may help to lessen pain during delivery. It can also help boost milk production.
Evening Primrose can help to ripen the cervix – making it softer and allowing dilation to occur more smoothly (ie: less painfully). I would not recommend taking evening primrose unless you were within 2-3 weeks of delivery. It is also used in higher doses to stimulate labor if you are “overdue”.
Thanks for the great reminder to focus on what’s important. I’m preparing to meet our fourth son in a few months and am already fighting panic about all that needs to get done before then. I’m bookmarking this post to re-visit when the real crunch time sets in!! 🙂
I’m expecting our 5th in about 10 more weeks and starting to feel the nesting urges and making lists. I’m not so worried this time about adjusting to our precious new baby, but with keeping things running smoothly on the homefront for the benefit and security (keeping enough things consistent in their lives/routine) of our other kids. I’m working on simplifying the home right now, but my main prep is making a detailed list of care instructions for our kids (a couple of which have severe allergies so that makes me nervous), a lesson plan written out so we don’t miss too much time in our homeschool and so that grandparents or my husband can carry on with some lessons, and getting a new car seat. Anything beyond that will be a bonus! Getting some simple meals planned and some in the freezer would be nice, too.
My wife definitely “nested” toward the end of each pregnancy. It always helped ramp up the excitement, and she knew my OCD didn’t mind at all. 🙂
I needed to read this today. Baby #6 is due in 2 weeks and in the midst of nesting, my family has come down with a stomach flu. It’s been overwhelming, and my to-do list has taken a back seat to caring for my sick little ones and the mountain of laundry. Now I am sick and it is forcing me to sit still and breathe. Thank you for letting me know that’s ok!
I just posted how I am preparing for our baby here: http://www.asimpleheartforhome.blogspot.com/2012/01/preparing-for-baby.html
This is a great post, especially since I am due in less than a month. I am feeling the same way even though this is only the 3rd. I think its harder this time since we had to do some emergency renovations on our house. Life keeps happening even though I am nesting. 🙂 I likely will NOT get it all done. And that really is okay. Although I have to remind myself of that.
Thanks so much for this! We are about four weeks away from number four and nesting has been making us all a little crazy! 🙂 soooo needed this post!